DAY 64: Buckingham team raise burglary awareness and continue appeal for intelligence for Operation Silo

On Monday (20/1), the team in Aylesbury Vale visited the villages around Buckingham to talk to residents about vehicle and home security.

The visits have come after three burglary offences were reported between the 9 and 11 of January with a previous attempted burglary taking place on the 18 December. 

The areas affected by this series are Akeley, Nash, Water Startford and Maids Moreton although there is nothing to suggest these offences are linked.

The crime prevention pages on the Thames Valley Police website have some useful advice about protecting your home.

Have your say meeting at Foscote Farmers market

The schools officer took year 10 children from Cottleslow School out to do security surveys in the rural villages

The children spotted potential home security risks. An open gargage door could be what an oppotunisitc burglar is looking for!

 Here are some simple tips for burglary prevention:

• Visit a local retailer to pick up a 24 hour segment timer for under £5. The timer can be used with a lamp, radio or TV to give the impression that someone’s home. Remember to use an energy efficient light bulb.
• Register your valuables on www.immobilise.com (opens new window) its free and takes just a few minutes and if your valuables are stolen, will allow you to tell the police, your insurer, and the second-hand trade to assist in recovering your property and catch the thief.
• Keep valuables out of sight.
• Lock your doors and windows, if you have a UPVC door make sure you have double locked it.

In total, the team in Buckingham visited 117 addresses and signed up 57 people to the Thames Valley Alert messaging system. 

Elsewhere 12 farms were visited in the area and farm and landowners spoken to about the recently launched Operation Silo. 

Advising on oil tank security in Radclive

Rural patrols in Radclive

The proactive patrols in Buckingham went ahead into the evening

Officers also patrolled the eastern and western borders in the evening

 Thames Valley Police are currently appealing for intelligence from anyone who thinks they may have been sold or offered illegal or counterfeit pesticides.

If you’re not sure if this applies to you, here is what to look out for:

·         Does the product look or smell unusual?

·         Have you been offered a product which has been described as the same as another but at a discounted rate?

·         Have you been sold a product because your first choice was ‘out of stock’?

·         Do you have any feelings that a product you have bought isn’t quite right?

·         Is the packaging unusual or not what you would expect?

 

Please act on any suspicions you might have and call Thames Valley Police as soon as possible on the 24 hour, non-emergency number 101.

DAY 60: Thames Valley Police launch Operation Silo: an appeal for intelligence around illegal pesticides.

On Friday (17/1), Thames Valley Police launched an appeal for intelligence around the distribution and selling of illegal and counterfeit pesticides.

Illegal pesticides have been found in increasing amounts across the UK and Europe and Thames Valley Police has a particular interest in illegal pesticides not just because of the risks they pose to the rural communities but the links to organised crime gangs. There is growing evidence that the illicit activities of such gangs finance other serious crimes such as human trafficking and international terrorism.

It is not yet known to what extent, if any, illegal pesticides are being sold within our rural communities. Gathering intelligence and information is a vital part of the investigation, which is where you come in.

Things to look out for:

• Does the product look or smell unusual?
• Have you been offered a product which has been described as the same as another but at a discounted rate?
• Have you been sold a product because your first choice was ‘out of stock’?
• Do you have any feelings that a product you have bought isn’t quite right? Are there any unusual symptoms or irregularities?(clogged spray jets / nozzles) etc
• Is the packaging unusual or not what you would expect? 

If you notice anything suspicious about pesticides you have either been offered or purchased, please call the 24 hour non-emergency number 101 and mention ‘Operation Silo’. 

If you do not want to speak to the police, you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111 or online at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.

More information about illegal and counterfeit pesticides can be found on the Thames Valley Police website or read about the national ‘Watch Out’ campaign which was also launched last week.